One Decluttering Strategy That Will Transform Your Space: The Double Declutter

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Today I'm sharing one decluttering strategy that will make it easier to streamline your space and pursue a more minimalist life!
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[@julzmilz5259]

The emotional charge decreases with each look at an item, making it easier to let it go. I love this idea!

[@happyluv]

I like the phrase " emotional charge"! Thats exactly what it is when you begin to unearth items that you've forgotten about or sentimental keepsakes that catch you off guard.

[@ElinLesser]

Agreed!!!

[@bellaluce7088]

Totally agree that letting go is often easier with a second pass (or third, or... ; - ). That's one reason I prefer the Onion Method of removing what's easiest first vs. trying to sort one category or space to completion all at once. Marie Kondo's method felt like a math test I was failing, but searching for what I am ready to let go feels energizing and empowering! : - )

[@funlover163]

I get the point of Marie Kondo method (I think it's also meant to exhaust you with the amount of stuff you own and make you want to get ride of it lol) but I think over time it's really not the best for maintaining

[@ElinLesser]

Interesting point that sometimes we can feel like we're "failing" at a declutter because we're trying to follow a specific formula. I've totally been there! (Glad I'm not the only one who's been through that process and needed some extra time and adjustment to make it work for me!) :)

[@ElinLesser]

interesting observation!

[@Conval-wi5eh]

@bellaluce7088 If you ever feel stuck or like you have reached a decluttering plateau, try aking yourself "What in here can stay?" instead of asking yourself "What in here can go?". Choosing what I wanted to keep helped to reduce my stuff to ~ 20% instead of removing only 10-20% :)

[@bellaluce7088]

@@Conval-wi5eh Yes, my version of that is asking if my whole house disappeared, what would I have to re-buy in the next few weeks or truly miss. Identifying my true treasures makes it much easier to recognize what's merely filling space!

[@nataliebutler]

Yup, I often do multiple passes when clearing out. Somehow it's easier to let go of a small amount 3 times than a large amount all in one go. Sometimes things I'm unsure about go into a 'holding' area for several months. Usually when I take a look at it again I can get rid of a lot more.

[@margaret1336]

I found getting rid of entire categories is helpful. Like craft books- they’re all available at the library or online. Anything readily accessible by other means- out!

[@LorreneRomanic]

I've heard it described as the "layers of an onion" analogy - Each time you declutter and build your decluttering muscles, you peel another layer of the onion.

[@tinygreenpineapple]

The first cut is the deepest - Rod Stewart said it first 😄 Great video and very helpful! Your place is beautiful!

[@ElinLesser]

haha! Thank you!

[@Angelica-ri7hx]

It was actually Cat Stevens! 😉

[@tinygreenpineapple]

@@Angelica-ri7hx It was?? Too funny! Thank you 😊

[@AlexaLikes]

It's so true about the first cut being the deepest. It's similar to getting shape in a way. Harder at the beginning but each time you practice, it becomes easier and more satisfying.

[@lenavonstein9671]

This is so true. I went through all of my belongings 3 weeks ago and did go through the "keep" boxes again shortly after and I was so annoyed at even having to take a look at this stuff once again :D writing this makes me laugh so much oh my I will go through it again in 3 to 4 weeks and see what else I am willing to part with :) thank you so much for your videos. I can relate to them so very much right now ♡

[@ElinLesser]

Love this! Yes, maybe it can be a "Triple Declutter"! ;)

[@changveronicas]

the first cut is the deepest 😂❤

[@nicolekiel1050]

Yes! I've found that the "double declutter" is super helpful for me. Or letting something that I'm struggling to let go of emotionally just sit in my mind for awhile... I often can let go of it after realizing what is holding me up.

[@ElinLesser]

I totally agree--recognizing what's holding me up helps me part with more! Great point!

[@alwayswonderwhy]

I refer to this as doing it in layers, like peeling an onion. Every time goes deeper, releasing more😊

[@annan.3283]

I’ve enjoyed your decluttering videos for awhile and rewatch them as I declutter. I just wanted to compliment you as I see here that you fixed your lighting and we can now see your blue eyes.

[@ros8986]

Also planning to do a second review takes stress off the first review. I encourage people to look through things quickly and remove things they know they don't want (bits of trash, an item someone left at their house (but they have no idea who). This gets people over the initial stress of actually touching the stuff. I encouraged one person to just give a quick look through file cabinet drawers and she ended up quickly reducing four feet of paper to four inches.

[@ElinLesser]

Great point!

[@bellaluce7088]

Exactly this! Decision fatigue is real, and removing the things that seem easier builds skill and confidence at decluttering! Plus, sometimes familiarizing yourself with what's there makes things way less overwhelming.

[@ros8986]

@@bellaluce7088 another thing is that the value of all objects are in relation to all the other objects we have - my decision to keep a particular knife often depends on what other knives I have (or don't have).

[@tracysullivan6450]

@@ros8986This is new information for me. And I’ve watched hundreds of decluttering videos, and flipped through countless magazines about decluttering! Objects relating to other object - that’s genius revelation right there! Thank you!

[@julieo123]

​@@ros8986😊love it!!!

[@LuminousLibro]

I love that you used music as an example! I’m a musician and that really resonated with me.

[@justnoticing]

You have articulated my experience so well. I have noticed this tendency to find it easier to declutter the second time around and in subsequent declutters as well. In my case, I feel I have needed time to make the mental and psychological shifts that are enabling me to declutter to a greater and greater extent. It has been a long journey but I am starting to get closer to my vision.

[@fsu3786]

Yes, I completely agree with the effectiveness of this strategy! Also: would you please share the source of your quilted jacket? A long time ago I asked you about your sweater- you told me - I got it- and probably will never declutter it! 💗

[@ElinLesser]

haha! Glad you enjoy the sweater. This jacket is from "Shoppes." It's a bit pricey because it's handmade, but definitely an investment piece (and I think they have a promo code for first purchase). Here's the link: shoppes.com/products/quilted-coat

[@fsu3786]

⁠@@ElinLesserSold out! But I do appreciate you sharing 💗

[@debraswank1542]

Regarding your comment on learning a piece of music on your violin and practicing the piece in sections, “chunking” is a learning term from the cognitive sciences that reinforces your example of breaking down a task into more manageable sections. Chunking is helpful for memorizing all 16 numbers on a debit card or credit card, for example. For most of us, it’s very difficult to quickly memorize all 16 numbers at once. The first set of 4 numbers, as well as the last set of 4 numbers are generally the easiest of this series of numbers to memorize. More memorization (more practice) is needed for the inner two sets of numbers to be consolidated into robust memory. Involving more of our senses can help to build strong memory for the entire sequence of numbers. For example, writing out the series of numbers and stating the series of numbers will involve auditory memory as well as visual and tactile memories. It will likely require more than one of these practice sessions over the course of a day - with breaks in between for the brain to continue processing, termed between-session learning (as compared to in-session learning). Research studies decades ago looked at chunking as a technique for memorizing telephone numbers. The first 3 numbers and the last 4 numbers were learned first, followed by learning the middle 3 numbers. Many thanks for your inspiring and helpful videos!

[@valk9789]

Thank you ~ so insightful! & useful

[@nancycerreta5629]

Thank you. Today is the day to donate a blouse that I felt for sure if I lost 5 lbs it would be perfect. Even though I bought it for 3.00 at Goodwill, it Was a treasure. So goodbye blouse.

[@suebolton5]

Yes, 2nd time is easier, my friend helped me and if she saw me hesitate over something it would go in a pile and often I would suddenly say, that can go now, it’s almost as if we need to process it. The don’t know pile often went and not much was kept. I can never tell you why I do it that way. My daughter is very different and I couldn’t declutter with her because it was much more black and white with her decisions, so we argued a lot.

[@maureenmccrackin6933]

That's a very interesting strategy. I will definitely try the 'double declutter'.

[@williamclark1244]

I didn't have a name for it but I have done this and it really does help to eliminate stuff faster. Recently I did it with a hand mixer that I kept thinking I needed to keep when I have not reached for it since I purchased a food processor almost two years ago.

[@ElinLesser]

Yeah, that's such a good example! Sometimes the second time helps me recognize flaws in my argument for keeping it - just like your example!

[@MelissaNgai]

I definitely experience that, too. When I first try to declutter, I get too sentimental or caught up in the "waste" of it all. But when I take a second look at the stuff I'm holding onto, I get over it easier and I let myself get after my goal of decluttering faster. Plus, I donate a lot of my unused or lightly used things, so I remind myself that I'm not wasting, just giving it a second life.

[@ElinLesser]

Yes! Love that comforting thought of a potential second life for the object -- it's more likely to get one than if it's in the back of my closet!

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

Such a good idea. I love the violin phrasing practice analogy. No comment on my ridiculous amount of serving spoons.

[@julieo123]

😂funny!

[@dianeyoung8068]

I clean and declutter every zone of my house once per month. I find that it is far easier to declutter some things after seeing and considering decluttering them multiple times. I agree that I have learned about myself by doing this and the only things that catch me up are the things that I actively avoid looking at.

[@sherriepiechowski4556]

I like the idea of a second look at items to determine how important they really are. Great tip! Thanks!

[@Wendy-eb2tl]

You have such a lovely calm voice. Thank you

[@KristiBranstetter]

It becomes easier. I find decluttering much easier after doing it seriously for 2 1/2 years.

[@ElinLesser]

I love this message of hope! Thanks for sharing

[@joangavrilik3009]

So true - thank you!

[@ANokes1]

Makes so much sense to break it down into phrases. I play flute and I can relate. :)

[@1inNUMBER]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@user-je2lp2iz7e]

Lynn here you make me feel so calm

[@aav_n]

Thank you!

[@vale.castaneda]

Lovely video and great tip. Thank you so much ❤

[@ElinLesser]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leastidyworld4365]

Ooh, I love your cardigan.

[@ShoppingwithRina]

thank you

[@shirleygermain5707]

I recently have done this. It gets easier.

[@SharonaKian]

Genius

[@sandrabell9773]

I love the brown cabinet with the pictures, blue lamp and white vase on it. Where did you get the brown cabinet? Love the whole vignette!❤

[@janiceestes9518]

I have trouble decluttering hair products. Some I have is 8 years old. Why I don't know. I guess I should start.

[@user-fk6rj6fj1l]

Hello nice to meet you

[@WorkIt-SarahAziz33]

Jump to 3:22

[@cynthiababrocky3526]

Cat Steven's wrote First cut is the deepest...not Cheryl Crow

[@dharmalovemay]

Thank you for a great video! But as a '70s girl I just can't help myself and not say it was Rod Stewart not Sheryl Crow.

[@user-fk6rj6fj1l]

Does this bother you the way I am

[@angelJ2023]

What kind of dog is ginger?

[@ElinLesser]

She’s a cavachon! 🐶

[@jmsl_910]

🩵🩵🩵

[@user-fk6rj6fj1l]

I wish you could see me andy messy house I'm a pack rat coolcat dan

[@user-fk6rj6fj1l]

🎉😂 you are so beautiful I hope we can be friends ❤❤❤ coolcat dan 😂😂❤❤